It is my favourite town in England so far and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and still can visualise the imperial state crown standing right in front of me when I went to see the Crown Jewels. Also, apologies beforehand, I stood in St George’s Chapel for SO long I missed the state rooms! And missed the arch way that Prince Harry and Meghan walked out of!

Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the photos I took when at Windsor……. the order of photos have a story to tell!

Parkour has become increasingly popular in recent years. In October 2016, Parkour was officially recognised as a sport by the UK – the first country in the world to do so. Following this, London has become a hotspot for Traceurs (individuals who practice Parkour) to work on their craft.

Winter is on its way out and Spring is almost here, meaning that London is coming into full bloom. The appeal of warmer weather, an abundance of gorgeous flowers decorating the busy streets and the promise of longer days all make our city incredibly popular in Spring – just make sure you know how to deal with lily pollen stains if you’re heading for the parks!

Whenever you’re heading to London, it’s always a good idea to get some tips from someone who knows it well before you go. This is where I come in! As a Londoner, I’ve put together some of my top tips to help you make the most of your city break.

Avoid Rush Hour

If you’re travelling on the tube, bus, train or any other kind of transport, always, always avoid rush hour when you can. These times tend to be from between 7.30AM-9AM and 4.30PM-6.00PM. It gets super busy so avoid at all costs!

Plan Your Day

Before heading out, make sure you’ve planned everything. The places you’re visiting, the right tubes to get there, food places nearby – knowing what you’re doing and when will make your days a whole lot smoother.

Get an Oyster Card

If you’re planning on using the tubes and buses, definitely get an Oyster card. They make travel much easier and will save you a whole lot of both time and money! Head to a tube station to pick one up for free.

Buses Don’t Accept Cash

Our city buses are completely cashless, meaning that if you want to hop on you’re going to need either an Oyster card or a debit or credit card that uses contactless payment. We really are living in the future over here!

A Free Day Out

If you want to save some cash, there are plenty of things that won’t cost you anything in London. Pop to museums such as The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum or The Victoria and Albert Museum which are all free. If you’re lucky and the weather is good, take a stroll in a park. There are a lot to choose from: Hyde Park, Regents Park, St. James’ Park, just make sure you know how to get rid of lily pollen stains if you’re going in Spring or Summer!

We’re Not Big Tippers

Sometimes a tip will be included in the bill in London, but if not then around 15% should be okay. Staff won’t get offended if you don’t leave an exact percentage, though. A restaurant meal is the only time you should always tip, really – they won’t expect it in a bar, taxi or café, though it can be nice if you’ve received good service.

Avoid Shopping on Saturday

I would definitely stay clear of Oxford Street and Regent Street on a Saturday if you can help it. It gets super busy and your relaxing shopping trip will turn into more of a crazy ordeal. Check out quitter places like Redchurch street in Shoreditch for some quirky shopping spots you won’t find anywhere else!

Travel on a Bike

Boris Bikes are a cheap, eco-friendly and fun way to get around London. You can rent a bike from one of the many docks scattered around London and then pop it back into another one when you’re done.

Check Out Markets

We have loads of great markets that are on throughout the week, including in Camden and Brick Lane – two hot spots for lovers of all things alternative and indie. Check them out online and find one that appeals to you, whether you’re more into fine food, stylish clothing or quirky finds!

Places to Explore

If you’re in need of some inspiration of places to explore, here are a few popular areas of London that could be right up your street:

Many visit the Lake District for its fabulous scenery, others for the great range of activities such scenery offers. From hiking and climbing to a simple desire for tranquillity, the region is a unique experience in England, and one so many visitors return to time and again.

Both children and adults alike have been enraptured with Arthur Ransome’s classic tale of adventure and friendship, Swallows & Amazons, since its release all the way back in 1930.

With a thrilling narrative that combines treasure hunting, swashbuckling and the carefree exploits of childhood – the story has undoubtedly stood the test of time, even receiving a film adaptation as recently as 2016 starring Andrew Scott (Sherlock) and Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire).

One of the main draws of his writing are the vividly beautiful environments he describes. The best part about this? You can visit them!

An admirer of the Lake District and its natural splendour, Ransome combined aspects of many places including Windermere and Coniston Water to craft the vivid world the protagonists of his novels explore.

Read on to find out how you can cast off into your very own Swallows & Amazons adventure.

This title is the first Chapter of “The Way to St. Werburgh’s”, and oh! Is it just the perfect title.

“It was 1819, perhaps a year of destiny. George III’s long reign was drawing to a close; his granddaughter Victoria was born, later to be one of the greatest rulers of the British empire; and soon the self-indulgent, sentimental reign of his son George IV would lower the past prestige of the royal family, despite the fact that he had served as Regent for some years.”

“The Northern spring was fast approaching, to gladden the hearts of all Englishmen Grand old oaks and spreading yew trees, majestic chestnuts and elegant birches vied with shy wood violets and bursting daffodils to greet the new season.

Blackbirds and sky larks, sparrows and finches, swallows and thrush, wrens and nightingales plied the air with ceaseless song, and the whole English landscape breathed new life with the melting snow”Continue reading “Oh, to be in England!”→

Recent Posts: Penguin Blog

Our brand new website is here and it’s the place to go for all things bookish. This means that we won’t be posting any new updates on the Penguin Blog, instead we’ve moved all your favourite articles, interviews, and extracts to http://www.penguin.co.uk and will host all the latest news and exclusive content here. Watch our video below for a look at what you can find there.

Never fear, Penguin Life is here with a series of fabulous talks and events designed to get you to make the most of your 2016 resolutions and live life better whether that’s at home, work or play across the whole year.

You can be happier, healthier and slimmer in just 15 minutes a day with the superb advice from The Feel Good Plan, by celebrity trainer Dalton Wong and health writer Kate Faithfull-Williams. Here’s an extract that shows you how to relax and refocus at work.

It’s the small, everyday things that make a difference and contribute to a happier, more fulfilled life. Writers from The Book of You﻿ have chosen some of their favourite micro-actions that you can easily put into practice for a sunnier, more contented you.